• Art Deco bracelet "Tut-Mania" – Rare Egyptian Revival...

An extraordinary opportunity for collectors of historical memorabilia and antique high jewelry. This magnificent rigid panel bracelet represents a superb testimony of the first and most authentic wave of "Tut-mania", the international archaeological fever that exploded after the legendary discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb. Weighing about 50 grams and with an open length of 17.5 centimeters, the piece boasts a sublime, gallery-like presence, solid and rich with magnetism. The centerpiece is the spectacular central medallion in high relief, which powerfully renders the iconic funerary mask of the pharaoh. The regal face emerges from a masterpiece of micromechanical jewelry work: a hypnotic labyrinth of hand-worked filigree with volute motifs and sinuous curls, executed with the openwork technique typical of traditional laboratories of the first half of the twentieth century. Created with a robust brass art frame and originally finished with a rich silver plating, the bracelet has developed over decades a spectacular bi-color patina. The natural wear of time has revealed the golden warmth of the underlying brass at the points of maximum relief, creating a chiaroscuro contrast that enhances the three-dimensionality of the details and certifies its historical authenticity against later industrial imitations in white metal. Technical mastery reaches its apex in the refined archaic hinge closure: the small passing cylinders were made by wrapping the metal wire by hand to accommodate a raw, hand-beaten copper pin, an unambiguous mark of pre-industrial artisanal craftsmanship and a level of structural care of bygone times. The jewel remains in excellent vintage condition, intact within the intricate filigree network. A piece of art to wear, imbued with exotism, mystery and history, ready to become the centerpiece of a refined private collection.

Estimate:£0.84

View all items fromCatawikiorAncient Art